Order

Family

Code 4

Code 6

ITIS

ILLUSTRATION

PHOTOS

CONSERVATION STATUS

The Giant White-eye has a very small range of just 410 square kilometers. This white-eye species is endemic to Palau and only occurs on the islands of Peleliu and Ngeruktabl. The size of the population is estimated to be about 13,900 individuals, and it occurs in forest, especially in areas with vine tangles. This species has been given a conservation rating of Near Threatened on account of its tiny range, and a slowly declining, small population. If the invasive Brown Tree Snake is introduced to the same habitat as the Giant White-eye, it could quickly become critically endangered.

SIMILAR BIRDS

RANGE MAP PALAU

About this Palau Map

This map shows how this species is distributed across the Palau islands.

FAMILY DESCRIPTION

White-eyes (Zosteropidae)

ORDER

The white-eyes are one of the one hundred eighteen families of birds in the order PASSERIFORMES (pronounced pas-ser-i-FOR-meez); a large taxonomic order that also includes the vireos, the babblers, and the Old World warblers.

FAMILY TAXONOMY

One hundred and five species of white-eyes in fourteen genera are found in the Zosteropidae (pronounced zos-ter-OP-uh-dee), a family mostly occurring in Africa, Asia, Australia, and on many islands in the Pacific Ocean.

SOUTH PACIFIC-PALAU

There are thirteen species of white-eyes in four genera that live in the South Pacific.

Three species in two genera are resident in Palau, including two endemics, the Dusky and Giant White-eyes.

NORTH AMERICA

There is one species of white-eye in one genus that occurs in North America (including Hawaii). This is a species introduced to Hawaii, the Japanese White-eye.

KNOWN FOR

Members of the Zosteropidae, the Japanese White-eye included, are mostly known for the distinctive feature that gives this family its name; prominent white markings that form “spectacles” around the eyes.

PHYSICAL

The white-eyes are small, vireo-like birds with rather short tails, short wings, strong, medium- length legs and feet, and a rounded head with a thin, sharp, medium-length bill.

COLORATION

Members of this family are for the most part yellow-olive above, yellow on the throat and vent, and white on the rest of the underparts. Some species also have chestnut in their plumage, and most species have prominent, white spectacles around the eyes.

GEOGRAPHIC HABITAT

The sole representative of the white-eyes in North America occurs in all habitats on most of the Hawaiian Islands from lowland scrub to montane forests. Most other members of this family occur in tropical forest habitats in their native ranges.

MIGRATION

The Japanese White-eye is a permanent resident in the Hawaiian Islands.

HABITS

Outside of the breeding season, white-eyes are very social birds typically found in large flocks that forage together. Like members of the family in their native ranges, the Japanese White-eye actively moves through trees and bushes to glean insects from the foliage. Most species also feed on fruit and nectar, and have brush-tipped tongues for this purpose.

CONSERVATION

Although the non-threatened Japanese White-eye is a species of the Asian continent introduced to Hawaii, other white-eyes have been very successful in naturally colonizing islands in the Pacific Ocean. Such past colonizations have led to separate white-eye species evolving in many of these places. Presently, though, many of these species are also highly endangered because of habitat destruction in their already very small ranges.

INTERESTING FACTS

Although the Japanese White-eye was introduced to Hawaii in 1929 as a means of controlling insect pests, it has become a threat to native birds by competing with them and carrying avian diseases against which the native birds have few defenses.